‘Specific threat’: Biden warns of attack
American President says his commanders briefed him that an attack was imminent within 24-36 hours; US embassy in Kabul issues high alert
WASHINGTON: The US state department has told Americans still in Afghanistan to immediately leave the area around the Kabul airport, citing a “specific, credible threat” after President Joe Biden said his military commanders had warned that an attack was “highly likely” to take place in the next 36 hours.
The warnings and alerts came just days before the United States is scheduled to wrap up its evacuation process and the complete pull-out of its troops from Afghanistan on August 31.
“Due to a specific, credible threat, all US citizens in the vicinity of Kabul airport, including the South Gate, the new ministry of the interior, and the gate near the Panjshir petrol station on the northwest side of the airport, should leave the airport area immediately,” the US embassy in Kabul said in a security alert issued on Saturday.
The US state department estimates there are at least 500
Americans left in Afghanistan who want to be evacuated.
The US embassy in Kabul has been working out of the airport and, The Washington Post has reported, Biden is planning to withdraw the American ambassador and the diplomatic staff by Tuesday despite a desire expressed by the Taliban for the US to retain its diplomatic mission. A final decision on the future presence of the US has not yet been taken.
On Saturday, too, Biden had warned of an imminent attack. “Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours,” he said in a statement. “I directed them to take every possible measure to prioritise force protection, and ensured that they have all the authorities, resources and plans to protect our men and women on the ground.”
“The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high,” Biden added.
The US had issued similar warnings ahead of the Kabul airport bombing last Thursday that killed around 170 people. Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), an affiliate of the Islamic State terror group, had claimed responsibility for the attack.
The American president also said he was determined to continue the evacuation process “despite the treacherous situation in Kabul”.